Final answer:
To achieve maximum speed, the force should be increased relative to mass, according to Newton's second law, as this would result in a greater acceleration and, consequently, a higher speed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to how the speed of an object is affected by changes in mass and the application of force. According to Newton's second law of motion, acceleration is directly proportional to force and inversely proportional to mass.
Therefore, decreasing mass while applying the same amount of force would result in a greater acceleration, and hence a greater maximum speed, given the relationship F = ma. However, if both mass and force are decreased, the effect on speed is not straightforward, as the proportional decrease in each could either maintain the same acceleration or result in a lesser one, depending on the magnitudes of the decreases.
Optimizing for maximum speed involves applying a greater force to a lesser mass. Examples in physics show that an object's speed can remain constant while mass decreases, such as in a system with a constant magnetic force; however, to achieve maximum speed, it is essential to increase force relative to mass.